AJ Rafael: Online sensation

MANILA, Philippines - Releasing songs nowadays is easy given the space YouTube provides for music enthusiasts and upcoming artists. Independent music, as a movement, has never been this alive. Fil-Am AJ Rafael is one singer who enjoys the freedom and fame that come with producing indie music online.  

“YouTube is an important part of any artist’s career right now. YouTube is free and it is free to watch,” says AJ of the benefits of the video website. “For me, that’s the No. 1 (reason why) I’m using it as a resource.”

When YouTube became popular in 2006, AJ was one of those who posted their first videos on the website. He might have sensed early on its potential as a means to share his music with the world.

”I’ve been posting (videos) consistently since then,” recalls AJ. “I believe it’s the most important tool in my career because I’m an independent artist. I don’t have a major label (which is) telling me what to do. YouTube is where I release my music videos and my singles. I call them my singles because I release them on YouTube (and not on radio). YouTube has become more than just a website to look at funny videos or accident videos. It has become a source of entertainment next to TV. Some people (find) it as replacement for TV.”

For the past six years, AJ has shown everyone what his pop-rock music is and what it stands for. It’s a fusion genre that young people like him love listening to. This is evident in his album titled AJ Rafael Red Roses.

“In my album, I have 11 cuts, all original. (They) all come from relationships and stories that I have had,” AJ shares.

Here, Tonight, Emma Watson, Red Roses, We Could Happen, Without You, Mess We’ve Made, Five-Hundred Days, She Was Mine, When We Say, Starlit Nights and Here All Alone PT 3 complete AJ’s album line-up with collaborations with band members Noah Bartfield, Danny Morledge and Andrew Rhim.

Although his heart beats for pop rock, AJ has an eclectic musical preference encompassing the music of Jason Mraz, John Mayer, BoyzIIMen and Whitney Houston. He also likes the ballads and acoustic soul ditties of Gary Valenciano, M.Y.M.P., Kitchie Nadal, Aiza Seguerra and Southborder. He also admits that he grew up singing karaoke with family.

“It’s my third time here,” AJ shares. “I was here for a vacation with my family in 2004. I came in 2009 for the Ondoy relief (operations). I’ve been here since Dec. 27 vacationing with family.”

His Manila visit, however, is not only for leisure. AJ is here for a show on Jan. 18 at the Music Museum. 

“My band is here with me,” he says. “Krissy and Ericka (Villongco) from the Philippines are also coming with us. It’s crazy that YouTube pretty much brought us here. It’s not the YouTube, the company but the people who make YouTube possible like the fans, the viewers and the artists.”

AJ is also open to do collaborations with local artists if the latter are “down for it,” he adds. “It would be nice to spend a couple of months here. I can be in certain places for a couple of months or maybe two a year.”

Asked if he also considers the possibility to sign up for a recording company here or abroad, AJ replies, “That is something we are exploring. I’ve been in the independent industry since I was 15… For me, it’s about making music and playing music. With the Internet, it’s so much easier to just do it on your own.”

After talking to him, it’s clear to me that AJ is an artist — err a musikero online — proud of his Filipino roots. His mission? AJ wants “people to see my music” and appreciate it.